not so solo after all

With perfect timing I arrived at Bristol airport got through security and walked right onto my fligh, a short 1.5 hours Pau france. Unfortunately I had not anticipated a National bridge tournament to be hosted in Pau, leaving with out a place to stay in the entire little city that it is. Fortunately three young students also found themselves in a jam (they accidentally rented a car for the wrong airport). Having landed at 10:30 and the airport closing at 12 we had not much choice but to camp outside on the pavement. We had a pretty good time and was SO greatful for their company! After renting a car the next morning they kindly dropped me off at the train station in Pau where I bought my ticket to St. Jean Pied de Port for later that afternoon. A short walk to the ¨marche¨ and I found myself in a cute little town square eating french bread and cheese, tired but happy nonetheless. I traveled to Bayonne and transfered onto a small three cart train to St. Jean Pied de Port with close to 80 other Pilgrims.. it was pretty impressive! We all got off the train and followed the first group to a little office where we were given our passports and lodged in a hostel. While most people were families, couples and friends I met Silvan from quebec, Nickel from Germany and Lucas from Poland who were also all traveling solo. We went to a market got some food and made a divine vegetarian pasta for dinner. This morning the four of us got up at 6 and left on our first day together a solid 7.5 hours 28km going up a total of 1200m in elevation. We spent the day in the clouds, cold and rainy, and though we missed the beautiful view of the Pyrenees we enjoyed this first day, which we have heard is by far the hardest. We are rested and fed an i just returned from my first Pilgrims mass in a small church with about 100 others. It was very nice.. for now i am off as my internet connection will be cut out. Turns out I am not going to be traveling solo after all.

Buffer Zone

I find myself in a buffer zone from old and comfortable and the new, slightly unorganized and exciting. I have spent the last two days in London with Melissa, a friend and old team mate from home who is now completing her Masters in Sport Science at Loughborough Uni in England. Together we followed two not so ideal maps and saw everything there is to see in London, from the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, St. Jean's Cathedral, London Bridge, Big Ben, Piccadilly’s Circus, and even set my watch with that of the 24 hour clock at time 0 in Greenwhich. It has been a great buffer zone for me having a good friend at my side as we search for hostels, follow maps, ask for directions, make lunch while sitting in the middle of town square, get lost and then eventually find our way once more. Tomorrow I will fly to France where I will not have my trusted companion at my side and will start my adventure a la solo. I am excited, a little nervous, probably not as prepared as I should be, but very excited and optimistic that all the highs and lows of my trip will make for memorable stories.

ps Thank you to everyone who has supported 'A small walk for a BIG cause' I hope you find this blog insightful and entertaining as I share stories and my where about along the way. Please feel free to ask any questions, or make comments on the blog.

Until next time, take care!

xox mila